The Dangers of Glyphosate (Part 1)

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup® which is one of the most heavily used herbicides in the world. Glyphosate was created by Monsanto, and they continue to claim that Roundup® is safe. However, in reviewing a recent article in the scientific journal Entropy I found these authors have come to a very different conclusion. Read on.

“Contrary to the current widely-held misconception that glyphosate is relatively harmless to humans, the available evidence shows that glyphosate may rather be the most important factor in the development of multiple chronic diseases and conditions that have become prevalent in Westernized societies.”(1)

Increased Use of Glyphosate

Much of the reason that the toxic effects of glyphosate have been ignored is that it is chronic toxicity that occurs from continual exposure to glyphosate. This chronic exposure is only seen after a long period of time, often years or decades.

Describing the effects of glyphosate, the Entropy article states: “Negative impact on the body is insidious and manifests slowly over time.”(2) The authors cite several ways glyphosate may contribute to the chronic diseases that have occurred with increasing frequency as use of the herbicide has increased.

Roundup® was first used in the 1970’s as a weed killer that killed all plants. Over time crops were genetically engineered (GE) to tolerate glyphosate and the use of glyphosate exponentially increased as the use of glyphosate doubled between 2001 and 2007. In 2007, 180 to 185 million pounds of glyphosate was used in the US.(3)

Herbicide use has increased on crops grown for food as in the beginning glyphosate was only sprayed on weeds, where now it is sprayed directly on GE crops. This practice increases the amount of herbicides sprayed into the environment, but also the amount directly absorbed by plants that are eaten by humans and livestock.

Due to increased use of herbicides, the agrichemical industry requested that the EPA increase the level of tolerance for glyphosate residue allowed in food and feed. The EPA complied, raising the level of allowable glyphosate in crops. For example, the levels for soybeans double, from 20 parts to million (ppm) to 40 ppm.(4)

This means genetically engineered Roundup Ready® crops now have higher levels of glyphosate, even as scientists are just beginning to learn about the insidious long-term effects of ingesting it.

Possible Harms of Glyphosate

What has been discovered is that glyphosate interferes with fundamental biochemical reactions and may predispose humans to obesity, Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and other health problems.

Glyphosate and Cancer

“Animal and human studies were evaluated by regulatory agencies in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, and the European Union, as well as the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO). These agencies looked at cancer rates in humans and studies where laboratory animals were fed high doses of glyphosate. Based on these studies, they determined that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic. However, a committee of scientists working for the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO evaluated fewer studies and reported that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic.”(5)

According to Sokolove Law, Glyphosate can be found all through the food chain and there are concerns over the link between glyphosate and the rise of cancer.(6)

The link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is particularly strong. One study asserts that exposure to glyphosate triples the risk of a subtype of the disease called small lymphocytic lymphoma. In another study, participants who used 5 or more of 9 pesticides tested were twice as likely to develop Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.(7)

Glyphosate and Gut Health

It is no surprise we are seeing a rise in gut issues. In my practice I have seen increasingly more and more clients come into my program with a plethora of gut issues, from IBS to Celiac disease. Often, these issues must be addressed with more than just dietary changes. Perhaps the increase in gut issues is due to glyphosate?

Glyphosate interferes with the biochemistry of bacteria in our GI tract, predisposing humans to a host of chronic health problems. Glyphosate depletes the amino acids tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, which can lead to obesity, depression, autism, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (8)

Glyphosate has also been associated with a host of other health issues, including liver damage, kidney disease, reproductive problems, and birth defects.(9)

Exposure to Glyphosate

As you will see it is impossible to avoid all exposure to glyphosate. Eating organic and washing all produce can help but the exposure to glyphosate from all sources is on the rise.

Ways to reduce exposure to glyphosate:

1.     Labels – look for labels that read Glyphosate Residue Free” which promises a company has applied to verify their products. This labeling project has been developed by the Detox Project and uses an FDA registered food testing lab to test for toxic chemicals.

2.     Buy “certified “organic products. Also, talk to your local farmers as the certified label is costly and may be cost-prohibited to local farmers who are conscientious and may not have a “certified” label but grow their products using organic procedures. You can find many of these farmers at local farmers markets.

3.     Clean your produce for 20 minutes using an Ivation Ozone machine. If you do not have an ozone machine, wash all produce thoroughly in white vinegar and water.

4.     Grow your own organic plants, herbs, vegetables, and fruits using heritage seeds so you are not using GE seeds. Use safe organic methods to fertilize and control pests assuring purity of your products.

5.     Avoid using all weed killers that contain glyphosate.

Even when you do your best to reduce exposure to glyphosate, you will inadvertently be exposed to glyphosate as it is everywhere in the environment today.

Glyphosate has also been found in miscellaneous products like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, non-organic cotton products like tampons and clothing, and even drinking water. It’s been found in 75% of air and rain samples. According to a 2017 study, it’s regularly found in human urine.

Perhaps the most discouraging news is that glyphosate is now being found in organic foods. Although decades’ worth of evidence supports the idea that organic foods contain lower (or trace) levels of pesticide than conventional foods, the latest tests show the levels are virtually the same.(9)

If you like listening to podcasts, check on this podcast interview with Stephanie Seneff, The Dangers of Glyphosate.

Since avoidance of glyphosate is impossible, my next article, What is Glycine and How it Can Protect Your From Glyphosate (Part 2), will share my best recommendation for removing glyphosate from the body.

(1)    Samsel, A., and Seneff, S. 2013. Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Page 1443. Entropy, 15, 1416-1463; doi:10.3390/e15041416

(2)    Samsel, A., and Seneff, S. 2013. Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Page 1443. Entropy, 15, 1416-1463; doi:10.3390/e15041416

(3)    Samsel, A., and Seneff, S. 2013. Glyphosate’s Suppression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes and Amino Acid Biosynthesis by the Gut Microbiome: Pathways to Modern Diseases. Page 1443. Entropy, 15, 1416-1463; doi:10.3390/e15041416

(4)    Federal Register, May 1, 2013, page 25396. 

(5)    National Pesticide Information Center. Glyphosate: Is glyphosate likely to Contribute to the Development of Cancer

(6)    Sokolove Law Blog. January 22, 2019. Are you Snacking on Cancer-Causing Week Killer?

(7)    Sokolove Law Blog. January 22, 2019. Are you Snacking on Cancer-Causing Week Killer?

(8)    The Cornucopia Institute. October 7, 2014. Wrenching: New Studies Reveal the Insidious Effects of Glyphosate. By Pamela Coleman, PhD Farm and Food Policy Analyst,

(9)    Sokolove Law Blog. January 22, 2019. Are you Snacking on Cancer-Causing Week Killer?

All recommendations for supplements, products, or procedures, are not intended as treatment or prescription for any disease or as a substitute for medical care. All handouts or information dispersed as requested, during appointments or at workshops are the opinions of Doreen McCafferty, Holistic Lifestyle Consultant, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions or the respective author who retains copyright as marked. This information is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Doreen McCafferty and her community. Doreen McCafferty encourages you to make your own health care decision based upon research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.